Chemiresistor sensor using elastomer-functionalized carbon nanotube nanocomposites for the detection of gasoline spills

Two types of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-based elastomer nanocomposites are used as a sensor material for the detection of gasoline spills by applying the interdigitated electrode (IDE) device. MWNT-g-polyisoprene (PI) and Si-MWNT/natural rubber (NR) are prepared by applying “grafting-from” and “grafting-to” process, respectively. When compared based on the identical condition of gasoline sensing test, the maximum response value to the exposure of gasoline is 17.5 for MWNT-g-PI sensor and 12.9 for Si-MWNT/NR sensor, which reach the maximum in less than 3 min. The MWNT-g-PI sensor selectively detects gasoline, and its response is completely reversible. It shows that the longer chain length of PI brings about the larger response of MWNT-g-PI sensor to gasoline. The sensitivity of MWNT-g-PI sensor highly depends on both how much gasoline is exposed to the sensor and what bias voltage is applied to the IDE device. The IDE sensor using MWNT-g-PI nanocomposites effectively detects gasoline spills.